Page 11 of Judge’s Redemption

“She isn't part of it.”

Mercer smiles. “King understood leverage.”

“King's dead.”

“And Kane's gone soft.”

I hold his gaze. “If you mistake a line for weakness, that's your problem.” I turn toward the door.

One of his men blocks it. Another reaches for my arm. I catch his wrist, turn, and drive him face-first into the concrete before the others get their hands near their weapons. The impact cracks through the warehouse. I wrench his arm behind him and look at Mercer while the man chokes beneath me.

“If they draw, all three go down.”

Mercer studies me, then raises one hand. His men stop.

I release the one on the floor and straighten. “The agreement's over. Find Reddick yourself.”

Mercer's smile is gone. “This isn't finished.”

“For Kingdom Come, it is.” I leave him beside his returned money and ride back to Ransom.

At five twenty-seven, I knock on Shay's door.

She opens it, glances at the paper bag in my hand, and narrows her eyes. “What's that?”

“Crayons.”

“You bought her a present?”

“And a coloring book.”

“No attempting to buy her.”

“Understood, but it’s just something small.”

Evie is sitting at the small table, drawing circles across a sheet of paper. She looks up when I enter. The same shock hits me again, this is my daughter. I crouch beside her chair.

“You came back,” she says.

“I said I would.”

“No, you didn't.”

I glance at Shay. She folds her arms. “She's right.”

“Then I should've said it when I saw you.”

Evie considers me with that serious little frown. “Are you coming back tomorrow too?”

The question catches somewhere behind my ribs and I don't tell her yes until Shay says I can.

“I'll come whenever your mom says it's okay.”

Evie looks at Shay. After a long second, Shay gives one small nod.

“Tomorrow,” she says.

I turn back to Evie. “Then I'll be here tomorrow.”